Lift Your Loved One Up in Prayer
Prayers for those who have died

Eternal rest, grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Christ Jesus, I come to you with confidence and faith in the power of your cross and resurrection:

Christ Jesus, may we find in you comfort in our sadness, certainty in our doubt, and hope amid the sorrow of this hour. Amen. 

Jesus Christ, firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, you are risen from the dead and can die no more. You sit at the right hand of the Father where you intercede for us. Hear my prayers for (name). In baptism he/she first was washed clean and filled with your light. Lead him/her over the waters of death, scatter the darkness and bring him/her to eternal light. Welcome him/her and give him/her a place at your heavenly banquet. Give him/her refreshment, rest, and peace. One day change his/her mortal body to be like your own in glory. Heal the pain of all who mourn his/her passing from this life, especially (name). Strengthen our hope that we may await your Son's coming again in glory with courage. Grant us all a place in your everlasting kingdom. Amen.

Go forth to paradise. May angels take thee by the hand: And at the gate of heaven, may the martyrs greet thee at thy coming; may they lead thee in the holy city of Jerusalem, the holy place of God. May the choirs of angels sing in joy to welcome thee, and with Lazarus, who once was so poor, may thou find eternal peace at last. (traditional hymn, translated by J. Nolan)

• Lord Jesus, who said "I am the resurrection and the life," have mercy on (name) and grant him/her everlasting life.
• Lord Jesus, who consoled Martha and Mary in their distress at the death of Lazarus, have mercy on (name) and grant him/her everlasting life.
• Lord Jesus, who wept at the grave of your friend Lazarus, have mercy on (name) and grant him/her everlasting life.
• Lord Jesus, who raised the son of the widow of Naim, have mercy on (name) and grant him/her everlasting life.
• Lord Jesus, who promised paradise to the repentant thief, have mercy on (name) and grant him/her everlasting life.
• Lord Jesus, who appeared to Mary at the tomb, have mercy on (name) and grant him/her everlasting life.
• Lord Jesus, who showed yourself to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, have mercy on (name) and grant him/her everlasting life.
• Lord Jesus, who ascended into heaven, have mercy on (name) and grant him/her everlasting life.

In our sorrow I cry out to you. Hear my prayer and strengthen my hope in your lasting goodness. Amen.

For an Infant:
Jesus, Good Shepherd, receive (name) into your arms. Cradle him/her in your love. Bless him/her and take him/her to your Father. Comfort the hearts of his/her parents and bring them peace and consolation. May he/she live forever with you in heaven. Amen.

For a Child:
Lord, you said, "Let the little children come to me." To you I entrust (name) who has left us. He/she was but a child and so precious in your sight. You, Lord Jesus, became a little child for our sake. You welcomed children and promised that the kingdom would be theirs. Take (name) into your arms and lead him/her into heaven where there will be no more tears, no more suffering, no more pain. Grant him/her the fullness of joy and eternal peace. You know the burden of our grief over the death of (name). One day unite us again. Amen.

May (name) be held in God's loving embrace now and forever: Lord Jesus, I turn to you with trust.
May his/her family be consoled in their grief: Lord Jesus, I turn to you with trust.
May the friends of (name) who shared friendship, school and sports together, be consoled and comforted: Lord Jesus, I turn to you with trust.

• For all parents who grieve the loss of their children through death, kidnapping, suicide, or illness: Lord Jesus, I turn to you with trust.
• For children who die of hunger or disease: Lord Jesus, I turn to you with trust.
• For children who die in war, Lord Jesus: I turn to you with trust.
• For children who die violent deaths: Lord Jesus, I turn to you with trust.
• For children who die at the hands of other children: Lord Jesus, I turn to you with trust.
• For children who die in accidents: Lord Jesus, I turn to you with trust.

Lord Jesus, I entrust (name) into your hands, trusting that you even now embrace him/her in your love. Welcome him/her into heaven together with all children who have died. May we know your saving peace. Amen.

For a Young Person
Lord God, you gave us (name) for so short a time. His/her life had so much promise. His/her future was before him/her. His/her life has passed too quickly. By the death and resurrection of your Son we are redeemed. Make (name) worthy to share the joys of paradise. Grant him/her full life in Christ, and may he/she stand with all the angels and saints before your throne for all eternity. Amen.

An Elderly Person
Lord God, have mercy on (name) who has at last been called from this life. We praise you for his/her life and the rich memories that he/she has left. Many years of life were granted him/her. He/she has experienced countless joys and sorrows, successes and failures, dreams and fears. Now that he/she has been called to the eternal banquet of heaven, I beg you in your endless mercy to raise him/her to new life. May he/she rest for ever in the joy that has been won for us by Christ Jesus. Amen.

For Someone Who Died by Suicide
My God, for those who hope in you death is not the end. Hold with care all that you have made, especially (name). Spare him/her, for he/she is yours. Look with gentleness and compassion on (name). Through the merits of your precious blood forgive his/her sins and failings. Lord, your Son willingly gave himself up to death so that all might pass from death to life. Grant (name) a place of happiness, light and peace in your kingdom. For those who grieve the sudden passing of (name) grant consolation in pain, and hope in sorrow. One day reunite us with the one we love. Amen.

Celebration of Mass and Mass Enrollments
It can be arranged for a Mass to be celebrated for the repose of the soul of someone who has died. Masses can be arranged for at a parish, through priests in the missions, or enrollments can be obtained through Shrines that offer Mass enrollments (such as the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows and the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal). It is customary for a stipend to be offered for Masses celebrated for particular intentions.